In 1929 F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote Ernest Hemingway that because his short stories now earned $4000 a pop he was 'an old whore' who had 'mastered the 40 positions' when 'in her youth one was enough.' But were the upwards of 180 stories he cranked out when not writing The Great Gatsby really the work of a literary prostitute selling out his talent for a fast buck? Kirk Curnutt and Robert Trogdon don't think so. Each episode they draw a random title from a hat and explore its place in Fitzgerald's career, in the magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post or Esquire where it may have appeared, and in the overall development of the American short story. Along the way, they talk literary politics, history, and gossip from the 1920s and 1930s, rediscovering the lively personalities and rivalries that tried to define the porous boundaries between commercial and artistic fiction, between the popular and the avant-garde, between the forgotten and the canonized. more

Explore the 20th Century and learn about the stories of the brave

Recordings from the early 20th Century with comments.

History with Flavor: Join our pithy and insightful tour through the past as we riff through the headlines from one week in the 20th Century. We will plunge through the newspapers, highlighting the famous and the infamous, the crazy stories and oddball characters, arch criminals and stupid plots pulled off by the politicians and heroes who have helped to create the world we live in. more

The true stories of life at a Lutheran institution housing orphans and the elderly in rural Iowa on the eve of the Great Depression. Almost lost to the passage of time, these stories of sorrow and joy, compassion and cooperation have been uncovered and can now be shared with you. Join mother and son hosts Karen Thalacker and Andrew Newell as you learn about life at the German Lutheran Orphans and Old Folks Home - or as it was commonly called The Homes. Follow The Homes on Instagram at lifeatthehomes for photographs and additional content. more

Exploring the astonishing social, political and cultural life of the Weimar Republic. Produced by Bremner Fletcher, singer, actor and kabarett artist and obsessive lover of Weimar culture and history: http://www.bremnersings.com more

AURN, in partnership with Flying Free Films and AARP, premieres an original, WGA scripted podcast series, 'Invisible Eagles: Bessie Coleman,' starring Oscar-nominated Quvenzhané Wallis as Bessie. Designed as an eight-episode EVENT, this 'made for podcast' project gives a dramatic account of America's first Black female pilot.Invisible Eagles: Bessie Coleman presented by AARP takes us around the world, from America to Europe and Africa, during the 1920's and 1930's. It's a time of the Great Depression, new technology, two world wars, and the horrors of Jim Crow. This podcast will keep you guessing about what will happen next as Bessie Coleman, one of the greatest daredevil stunt pilots in American history, takes us on the flight of our lives! more

Pod Clubhouse digs into each new Yellowstone and 1923 episode every week and tries to unwrap the Dutton family's latest intrigues and exploits. more

'Mrs. Dalloway' recounts a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway in the middle of June 1923. Clarissa Dalloway is a high society London lady. On that day, she is hosting a party, meeting people, going to the park, and reflecting on her choices. Where would she have been if she married Peter Walsh and not Richard Dalloway? What if she would not invite this or that person to her party? Her feelings about Peter Walsh grow because on that particular day he returns from India to settle some affairs in London. Other people also reflect on their choices. Mr. Smith who cannot move on from the horrors he saw in battle, his Italian born wife, members of Clarissa's family and friends.This book is considered a classic. It appears on many lists of best novels including the 100 best novels list by the Guardian. Indeed, some of the them are timeless and touch all of us. - Summary by Stav Nisser. more

A social satire, Main Street became a best-seller soon after its publication, fascinating readers with its biting humor and realistic portrayal of small-town communities. Published in 1920, the novel follows Carol Milford as she moves to a conventional small town, where she encounters its conceited residents characterized by their ignorance, hypocrisy, and smugness, while simultaneously being the target of their careless ridicule. Furthermore, the novel efficiently exemplifies the dividing line between the sophisticated urban setting and the conventionally governed small-town, as it tackles issues of embracing differences, social class, disillusionment, feminism, and community.Written in episodes, the story begins with the introduction of Carol Milford, a young idealistic woman attending the Blodgett College in Minneapolis, who is a vehement advocate against dullness and conformity. While working as a librarian after her graduation, she meets Dr. Will Kennicott, whom she marries after three years of courtship. Subsequently, the couple decides to move to Kennicott's hometown of Gopher Prairie, where Carol is quickly disenchanted by both the town's exterior and its provincial residents. Nevertheless, she is determined to bring change to the town, and slowly begins her mission to vivify her new surroundings by refurbishing her new home, organizing an extravagant party, and proposing a few communal projects. However, Carol soon faces reality, as she realizes that the townspeople are not appreciative of her push for change, and instead she is backed into a corner as her dynamic personality puts a strain not only on her adjustment into the community, but also on her marriage.In addition, Lewis effectively employs satire in order to illustrate the disadvantages of living in a small town where change and innovation are not particularly welcomed, and is instead governed by self-acclaimed intellectuals and bigots. Regarded as Lewis' most significant and enduring piece, and also fortifying his notable literary position, Main Street mesmerizes with its hard-hitting criticism and vivid portrayal of the narrow-mindedness present in small-town communities. A timeless piece of literature, Main Street accurately captures the negative aspects of small communities, and at the same time offers an insight into American history. more

Pretty, charming, but impoverished Sally Nicholas' humdrum life is turned upside down when fate decides to step in. In this breezy, romantic comedy, PG Wodehouse delights readers with his portrayal of a charming young American girl who unexpectedly inherits a fortune which changes her life forever. The story follows Sally's fortunes and is told in Wodehouse's typical humorous style and keeps the reader thoroughly entertained to the very end. First published in 1921 as a serial in Collier's Magazine in the US and in 1922 in the Grand Magazine, UK it appeared in book form titled Mostly Sally in 1922. Sally lives with her brother Fillmore in a cheap boarding house and works as a taxi dancer to earn her living. She is on the verge of getting engaged to a budding playwright, Gerald Foster. The story opens with Sally throwing a party to celebrate her good luck. The guests are fellow boarders and each one of them has a suggestion on how to use the money. Fillmore, who has become even more proud and pompous after coming into wealth, is an unattractive specimen who is not above a bit of skating on thin ice in financial matters at the firm where he works. He also nurses theatrical ambitions. Sally decides to enjoy her good luck and spend her money on an extended holiday in France, where she meets a host of interesting characters. Among them are the bucolic yet steadfast pugilist, Ginger Kemp, and his debonair cousin, the suave Bruce Carmyle. How Sally finds true love and happiness forms the rest of the story, which takes some enjoyable detours to arrive at its conclusion. Filled with lots of confusion and mistaken identity, laughs and some tears, this is an entrancing read, especially for Wodehouse fans. The cute and vivacious Sally makes a memorable and lovable heroine and the reader is easily drawn into her adventures. This is a story that appeals to readers of all ages. more

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is set in the Thundering Twenties and follows Scratch Carraway, a young fellow who moves to Long Island, New York. He becomes entranced by his secretive and affluent neighbor, Jay Gatsby, who tosses extravagant gatherings. Gatsby is infatuated with Daisy Buchanan, Scratch's cousin, and looks to revive a sentiment they had a long time previously. Notwithstanding, Daisy is hitched to Tom Buchanan, a rich and self-important man. As the story unfurls, Gatsby's glorified fantasy about winning Daisy back prompts grievous outcomes. The novel investigates subjects of the Pursuit of happiness, social class, love, and the ruining impact of abundance. It eventually depicts the frustration of the people who pursue out of reach dreams. - Summary by Dream Audio Books more

A curated selection of 78rpm records from the 1920s and 30s, played as they were intended on period acoustic phonographs more